Kababayans celebrate Simbang Gabi at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue
The Philippine Consulate General in New York has officially started the Christmas season with the holding of the first day of the “Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado,” a nine-day series of novena masses leading up to Christmas, at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.
Now on its 33rd year, the ‘Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado’ is considered as one of the most cherished and anticipated events of the Filipino community in the US northeast.
Now on its 33rd year, the “Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado” is considered as one of the most cherished and anticipated events of the Filipino community in the US northeast.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Elmer G. Cato thanked the members of the Filipino community for preserving the tradition despite the continuing threat of the coronavirus pandemic that forced the consulate to limit the number of attendees last year.
Invoking this year’s theme, “Pasko: Pagmamahal at Pasasalamat,” Consul General Cato further said that he was “thankful for the spirit of bayanihan that is very much alive in the Filipino community in our part of the United States.”
“Since I arrived almost nine months ago, I have been a witness to several demonstrations of bayanihan — of working together for the good of all, of helping our kababayan in times of crisis,” he added.
Preceding each mass is a parol-lighting ceremony, at the lobby, where kababayans enjoy a visual feast of bright and colorful traditional Christmas lanterns, most of which came all the way from Pampanga, dubbed the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.”
The facade of the Philippine Center, along Fifth Avenue, was also made festive with Christmas garlands and looping videos on its giant LCD screens featuring how Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines where New Yorkers and tourists alike are seen to pause to take photos and videos of the display.
The first night of the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado was sponsored by the Coalition of Philippine Catholic Schools and Universities. It was officiated by Reverend Father Fr. Patrick Longalong. newyorkpcg.org/pcgny/